<p>Can anyone with insight into the financial aid process explain to me why I was only granted $5500 total when my family’s EFC is $0? I’m very upset about this, because there is simply no way I can attend USC for ~$50000 a year.</p>
<p>All my paperwork was in in time. I was granted spring admission on appeal, and now am beginning to feel more and more like I’m considered a second class student.</p>
<p>i was granted 0</p>
<p>what was you EFC?</p>
<p>MetroMapleLeafs9,
Well, you provide very little information in your post, so I am doing mostly guesswork here…</p>
<p>Students admitted on appeal and Spring admits are not arbitrarily given less aid than Fall admits. Financial aid determination is made based on the information on the CSS/Profile, not date of admission.</p>
<p>First: The FAFSA EFC is ONLY used to distribute Federal aid such as Stafford loans, Pell Grant, Federal wrok/study. The FAFSA EFC is not used to distribute USC grants, so a 0 EFC has nothing to do with USC grants.</p>
<p>-The $5,500 is probably a Pell grant from the federal government as a result of your 0 EFC on the FAFSA. You should also be eligible for $3,500 subsidized Stafford loan and a $2,000 unsubsidized Stafford because you filled out the FAFSA and have a 0 EFC.</p>
<p>-USC Requires the CSS/Profille from all financial aid applicants. **The CSS/Profile considers assets, such as home equity, that the FAFSA does not. In addition, any assets you were able to protect using the “Simplified needs test” on the FAFSA are considered on the CSS/Profile. ** Students who do not submit the CSS/Profile are not eligible for USC grants.</p>
<p>-Copies of your 2009 tax returns are required for USC financial aid. If you did not submit them, you are not eligible for USC grants.</p>
<p>So my guesses as go why you received only a Pell grant are that either
<p>or</p>
<p>2) You have significant assets and home equity not assessed on the FAFSA that made you ineligible for USC grants. (Remember, USC grants are distributed using CSS/Profile information, which considers those assets.)</p>
<p>I am guessing it is #2. If neither of those apply to you call USC financial aid and ask. They are generally willing to explain what went in to figuring your need.</p>
<p>ChongShu, I thought you were an International applicant? International applicants are not eligible for need-based aid at USC. International applicants are required to submit proof that they can pay tuition and living expenses before a letter of admission can be sent, so I feel certain you have been aware of that since you applied to USC.</p>
<p>i am aware<br>
it is a kidding</p>
<p>or</p>
<p>With a screen-name like MetroMapleLeaf are you by any chance Canadian (Toronto), thereby touching on alamemom’s point to ChongShu?</p>
<p>My family has very little assets other than our home. Its paid off, but my family makes below the federal poverty level and my mother has multiple sclerosis which results in large medical bills.</p>
<p>I am not at international student.</p>
<p>I just don’t know why they think my family will be able to afford ~$50000 a year when everywhere else gave me a near-full ride.</p>
<p>it might be that they made a mistake… especially because you are in a position of poverty and have extremely high medical bills in your family it would be in your benefit to appeal the decision… those kinds of things are not shown on css/profile or fafsa and so USC may not have known about them. call them up tomorrow with your tax returns ready and maybe a statement for your mothers medical bills at hand so they can help you figure stuff out.</p>
<p>And: Did you submit the CSS/Profile and Tax returns? Please double-check your records and your financial aid documents page to be sure they were received at USC. Have you called USC financial aid to ask about your aid? What did they say?</p>
<p>as other people have said, please call USC to get this sorted out. IMO you definitely deserve more aid</p>